Hello everyone, I recently bought a large diffuser for my 470 EX-AI flash. The diffuser works great, but about halfway through the night I started getting an error that says "AI-B error". It seems the flash is trying to do its AI movement and the diffuser is preventing it from doing so. Rather than just letting me take photos the way I want to, this renders the flash ineffective and the photos come out dimly lit! Is there any way to turn off the useless AI function on these AI flashes? How can I get around this issue? I don't want to be missing shots because the flash is trying to do its own thing. Also, I have tried switching between the three modes and it doesn't seem to help. Thanks!
I haven't got a 470 EX-AI but as I understand it you can put it in Semi-Automatic AI mode which allows you to manually set the head by using the "set angle" button on the side of the flash, not sure if that will stop it moving though.
I've kinda wanted to pick up one of these flashes but have not had a real reason to yet. Based on your feedback, I think its a matter of not re-calibrating to the orientation change. I'm assuming your using Semi auto which keeps the head pointed t where you set it originally for bounce, despite the camera changing its orientation a bit as you move around. Full auto would not be a good choice as it is meant for beginners and requires going through its auto calculation each time you move. I try to to use a diffuser unless it is the only way to soften the light, bounce can can work wonders and is better for controlling light than the use of a diffuser on its own. It should not impact the flash performance really at all as it is triangulation its readings off the flash bounce and the light emitted, so unless you put the diffuser on mid use then it should not be confused.
